He Was Right!

I guess Boy #1 was right afterall. Christmas will be a little different this year :)

It's Here!

Canning season has begun!

I love this time of year with God's gifts of fresh fruits and veggies.

I just wish it would last longer than just a couple of months.

Maybe someday I will live in a place where I can eat fresh fruit all the time:)

But for now to enjoy this stuff year round I will have to keep on canning.

So today canning started with 13 jars of rhubarb jam. We ran out last year so my goal is to do lots! So I will probably make way too much and then we will have to eat it like it's going out of style (sigh).

And then there was rhubarb left over so we had to make a rhubard dessert (so sad!)

Now I look forward to strawberries (which will soon be ready), raspberries, spinach & lettuce, cucumbers, tomatoes, peppers, gooseberries (which need to be picked today!), carrots, potatoes (very soon I can start stealing the little ones), peas, celery, onions, watermelon, honey dew, tomatillos (never planted them before but was up for the experiment), and just when you think it can't get any better-apples and CORN ON THE COB! Whew just thinking about all that work makes me exhausted!

So here's to the canning season and all you who are preserving your fruits and veggies for the long, cold winter :) Happy Canning!

And of course as soon as I tried to take a picture our ever so cute little model figured she had to be part of the photo!

Popscicles

Back in 1905, young Frank Epperson was outside on the porch,

enjoying a refreshing fruit-flavored soda.

But, it wasn't like the soda we know today.

In those days, you poured soda water powder in water,

stirred, and viola! Instant tasty drink.

So, Frank was enjoying his soda, and for whatever reason, didn't finish it,

and forgot to bring it with him when he went inside.

There it sat. On the porch. All night. With the stirring stick still in it. That night brought record low temperatures,

and when he found his soda the next morning, the drink was frozen to the stick.

Boys will be boys, and instead of taking it inside to clean it up, he tasted it.

It was good!

The story goes then that he took it to school to show his pals, and made them for his friends.

He called them Epsicles. It didn't occur to him to patent his frozen treat until 1923, as he sold seven flavors of Epsicles at a lemonade stand at an amusement park in Oakland, California.

His patent was granted in 1924, and the name was changed to the familiar Popsicle we know today. (It seems his kids gave him the idea, as they were always asking for "Pop's 'sicles.") There are now over 30 different varieties and flavors of Popsicles,

and an estimated 3 million of these frozen treats are sold each year.

Sisters

SISTERS

A sister is one who giggles uncontrollably at things that are not even funny.

A sister can be at odds with you one minute and hugging you the next.

A sister sings the best harmony with you.

A sister eggs you on just to make you mad.

A sister embraces you when you are having a bad day.

A sister does your hair.

A sister helps you do dishes.

A sister is both your mirror and your opposite.

A sister laughs at your corny jokes.

A sister wears your favorite clothes.

A sister helps your remember things you'd rather forget.

A sister tells the truth even if you don't want to hear it.

A sister is a pro at pleading innnocence.

A sister keeps you accountable.

A sister is a God given best friend.

Try Again

Well I hope these pictures work. For some reason our desk computer is giving me grief

when I try to post photos. So I moved to the lap top.

This is our 'siding journey'!

Lots of early hours, lots of late hours, lots of sore muscles where we didn't know we had muscles,

but a great sense of accomplishment when all is said and done!

Before

Never Too Little To Help

We Replaced Some Windows

The Little Ones Wondering Why the Big Hole in the Wall!

Looking Better Already!

Joshua, Our Official "Saw Guy"

Jennifer is Our Designated Painter

And Of Course There is Always a "Little" Help

The Front is Done!

A New Look

Last week was a busy one as we were busy putting new siding on our house.

It's kind of hard to see the true color. It is Richmond Red. We really like it.

We are not done yet, although when you drive on the yard you wouldn't know.

We finished the front and south side. We have the back and north side left.

Here are some pictures of the change so far.

Before

During

After

Happy Father's Day

To our dear Dad

You are one of a kind

Strong

Loving

Kind

Caring

Humble

Funny

You always care if we had a bad day.

You are always ready to stop and listen to our problems.

Even though you are 40, you can still beat us in hockey (right Josh?:)

You are always ready to taste test our cooking (especially if it is cowboy cookies or gooseberry prestie).

You are always ready to make an unpleasant situation pleasant with your jokes and uniqe laughter.

You come up with the best nicknames (like... Fawason, Nifer, Mugo, Kerrisco, Bob, Buz, Boo, Nater, My most beautiful, beautiful Brookie and Mikernania).

You always say "I can fit it in" (and you do!)

If we can't open it, you can.

If we can't shut it, you can.

If we can't lift it, you can.

If we can't drive it you can.

If nobody else can do it, you can.

We Love You Daddy

Love your Daughters

Megan Tries Her Hand At Driving

Well Megan has been begging for some time now for me to teach her to drive. I have been a little apprehensive, and putting it off. But yesterday once again she was on my case, so taking into account her track record of being quite responsible, I decided to let her have a crack at it. Being farmers, we have quite a choice of vehicles, and so I tried to find the one that best suited Megan. Slow, steady and reliable. I can't say she was too impressed with my choice, but hey, take it or don't drive! She started off quite well, slow, steady, slow steady.

After some pracitce I felt confident that I could leave her alone to practice in the pasture. She was out there quite awhile and I figured that no news was good news. There was one thing that I apparently forgot to mention to Megan. Watch out for those pasture holes and slough bumps. Well I guess that would have been some valuable information for when I went out to check on her she was having a bit of trouble. In fact, a lot of trouble, she had lost her front wheel.

As she was feeling a little discouraged I tried to cheer her up and tell her that this happens to everybody..... well almost everybody. Thankful we live on a farm, we were able to hook her up with another mode of transportation. Once again, she was a little disappointed that she couldn't drive something like Joshua's shiny truck, but I figured he might not be too happy if she would happen to have another 'incident'. So the old truck it was. After a little coaching on the different set of wheel, once again Megan was ready to roll. I reminded her of the holes and bumps. She gave me the 'yes mom I know look' and I figured she was good to go. So, confident that she would be just fine, I went back in the house, hoping not to hear of another 'incident'. All was well, no news, and then all of a sudden Megan came bursting into the house. 'Mom, come quick, I have a bit of a problem'. Not the words I wanted to hear. So, I went running behind her, having a quite a time keeping up, being much older, and much more shall I say 'out of shape'. When I got there, I could hardly believe my eyes. How could I have neglected to tell Megan of the one other danger that was out in the pasture. The tree.

The one and only tree. Well, she found it, she hit is and the rest is history.

Megan I hope next time you practice driving again, it will be under much better circumstances. And maybe one day Josh will even let you drive his truck:)

Complaining is Optional

I saw I sign in the restaurant yesterday:

"Pain and suffering are inevitable.

Complaining is optional."

We've had an interesting spring here on the farm with the weather just not really acting like spring weather.

There's always the decision that needs to be made when you start planting, and especially when the weather is a little coolish. Do we wait to plant our oil seeds? is it too early? And you decide. You have to. Hoping that it is the right decision. Farming (and life I guess) is all about that. You make a decision, hope and pray it's the right on, and then go on.

Every year Mark and I go (and this year the little boys and Brooke) and pray over all of our fields, thank God for the blessing He gives, asks Him to protect the crops against frost, bugs, hail, that they get good rains, but not too much rains (simple right!), but at the end of our prayer we pray, "Lord your Kingdom come and your will be done with this field." Why? Because we recognize that we only know the here and now, the today and tomorrow, the present. But God sees the whole picture, He sees the beginning from the end, and He knows what is best. We know He can do the impossible. We have seen it before, crops that had a significant amount of hail, yet yielded as our best one. We know he can make a storm go a different direction, cover a field from frost damage, make rains fall, protect it from bugs. We know He is able. And yet there is always that element, we don't see big picture. Maybe God wants us to go through a trial or two to make us stronger, maybe He wants us to dig a little deeper and seek Him a little more (adversity has a way of doing that!)

It's all a process, a journey, a learning curve. So when we got frost this year that damaged our crops and had to re-seed some of Mark's dads stuff (and maybe more yet) we had to trust. Trust that God knows what is best, that His perspective is eternal and to line ours up with His. To not store up our treasures on earth where moth and rust (and frost) destroy, but rather store up our treasures in heaven. To have our heart in the right place.

For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. Matt. 6:21

So we learn to trust, to lean on Him, to know that we know that He is in control and be able to rest in that. In every circumstance, health, finances, family.....that our natural response is trust and peace in God. A deep lasting peace that passes all understanding. A peace that the world looks at and says, "How can you be so peaceful when there is trouble in your life."

And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding,

will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Phil. 4:7

God is good, all the time. Even if my circumstances seem less than perfect. He is still good, He will always be good, because He never changes.

If I truly trust in the name of my God, the circumstances around me will not shake me, I will not become bitter or angry and complain against God for the hard times. I will know in my heart that He can be trusted with my life because He says in His word that I should trust Him.

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart;

and lean not unto thine own understanding.

In all thy ways acknowledge him,

and he shall direct thy paths.

Proverbs 3:5-6

Trampoline Fun

Rain, Rain

Here was the conversation I heard between Jesse (5) and Nathan(4) a few mornings ago.

First let me say Jesse is a real outside boy and loves to go with his dad to the field. And anything that gets in the way of that disturbs him greatly.

Jesse (Left): (sounding very distressed) Oh no, it's raining!

Nathan (Right): (in the cutest, most consoling voice ever) Don't worry Jesse. We need the rain to water our garden and the field so the seeds can grow.

Mikaya Anne the Cute Little Ballerina

Mikaya doesn't use the jolly jumper anymore since she started walking. But when she did, she put on quite a show. Here's a couple of clips.

To Obey or Not to Obey? Chpt. 23

In this chapter we as wives are encouraged to search the scriptures once again and find scriptures on obeying/submitting to our husbands. Also to know the scriptures so that we know how to respond in certain situations that may come up in our marriage. When we look at Jesus' life He did not live in ease for his own pleasure. He lived and suffered for the glory that was to follow. And as wives our calling is to give glory to God. Jesus often had less than perfect circumstances, was treated unfairly, but still He chose to love:

For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us,

leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:

Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously.

1 Peter 2:23

In this chapter the point was made that too many times wives are too quick to run away from a marriage that is no fun. On the contrary when a Christian wife does what the world would never do-God is glorified. And that should be our goal, to glorify God.

So as wives God's Word needs to be part of our hearts, that we are so in tune with Him, that when situations arise, we know what God is calling us to do and say.

They also addressed issues where we as wives need to bring in the authorities. But you need to read the chapter if you have the book as I will not go into detail here. There are instances where some wives will need to contact the authorities because of their husbands behaviors.

One verse that I have been meditating on a lot lately, not only for my attitude toward my husband, but my children, and everybody I come in contact with is Galatians 5:22-23. An age old verse that I have heard many times over, but the power of it has really impacted me lately. To be a wife, mother, and woman who has the fruits of the spirit.

But the fruit of the Spirit is

love, joy, peace, longsuffering,

gentleness, goodness, faith,

Meekness, temperance:

against such there is no law.

Galatians 5:22-23

To me this is key, if I can live in the spirit, having the fruits of the spirit, I believe I will bring glory to God in my relationships and my life in general.

So what verse has impacted you in your journey as a godly wife, mother and woman?

The Cup Holder

Caller: "Hello, is this Tech Support?"

Tech: "Yes, it is. How may I help you?"

Caller: "The cup holder on my PC is broken and I am within my warranty period. How do I go about getting that fixed?"

Tech: "I'm sorry, but did you say a cup holder?"

Caller: "Yes, it's attached to the front of my computer."

Tech: "Please excuse me if I seem a bit stumped. It's because I am. Did you receive this as part of a promotional at a trade show? How did you get this cup holder? Does it have anytrademark on it?"

Caller: "It came with my computer. I don't know anything about a promotional. It just has '4X' on it."

At this point, the Tech Rep had to mute the caller because he couldn't stand it. He was laughing too hard. The caller had been using the load drawer of the CD-ROM drive as a cup holder and snapped it off the drive.

It's A Girl!

I am excited to announce that we have another neice/cousin.

My sister, Amanda, had a baby girl yesterday.

She was 10 days overdue and a big girl - 9 lbs. 14 oz.

Congratulations Josh and Amanda.

Can't wait to meet you Cadence =)

Sights at our Dugout

P.s Check out our recipe blog for a new recipe

Obedient to Their Own Husbands (Chpt. 22)

That they may teach the young women to be sober,

to love their husbands, to love their children, To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.

1 Peter 2:4-5

This chapter was packed. Obeying your husband, winning him over without a word, dealing with an angry husband, birth control, head covering, remarriage, making an appeal and more....If you want to know all what it said you need to read the chapter because I cannot possibly comment on it all here. So I decided instead to give you some scriptures to meditate on. I also did a bit of a word study on the word obey in 1 Peter 3:5-7 because I was curious of the strong word obey. Some commentaries didn't like that the KJV used the word obey in Titus 2:4-5, instead they used subjection. But most versions use the word obey in 1 Peter 3:5-7. Wives, in the same way be submissive to your husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, when they see the purity and reverence of your lives. Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight. For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to make themselves beautiful. They were submissive to their own husbands, like Sarah, who obeyed Abraham and called him her master. You are her daughters if you do what is right and do not give way to fear. 1 Peter 3:5-7 Obeyed (5219) (hupakouo from hupó = under + akoúo = physical hearing and apprehension of something with the mind) (Click for study on related word hupakoe) means literally to "hear under" and conveys the meaning of subordinating one’s self to the person or thing heard, hence to obey. The word means to hearken or to give respectful attention and so to obey. This word was used to describe one coming to the door upon hearing a knock, a good picture of obedience. (taken from an online bible concordance) Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. Ephesians 5:22-24 Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband. Ephesians 5:33 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord. Colossians 3:18

Motherhood, A Special Privilege

With Mother's Day coming I wanted to write this to my kids,

my blessings, my gifts from God.

Each one of you are so unique, so special and perfectly placed in our family by God. God knew who we needed and what place we needed you in our family.

His plan has been perfect and continues to be.

For you created my inmost being;

you knit me together in my mother's womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

your works are wonderful,

I know that full well.
My frame was not hidden from you when

I was made in the secret place.

When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,
your eyes saw my unformed body.

All the days ordained for me were written in your book

before one of them came to be.

Psalm 139:13-16

Our family is so special and it is truly an honour and privilege to be your Mom. I have never bemoaned the fact that God has chosen me to be a Mom to you. Have there been hard times? Of course, but there are hard times no matter what you do in life. Through these hard times I have grown, matured and become closer to the person God has created me to be. Thank you for that! Thank you for the challenges, thank you for the character building. Without you, I know I would not be the person I am today. And you can keep right on teaching me because I know I still have lots to learn!

We have spent many hours together, some in the wee hours of the morning, some working side by side, some doing school, some playing together, some laughing, some crying..... And I look with fond memories on these moments. Time together, time to get to know one another, time....It will not last forever, so let's make the most of every moment.

They say that being a mom is one of the highest callings. I don't even want to think about that. I just know that it is my calling. God has called me to be your Mother. From the day that you were born to the day that you die, God has called me to be your Mother. To nurture you, to train you, to love you..... For some of you this journey is just beginning, for others we have been at it for quite a few years. I know I have not been perfect, I know I have (and still) make many mistakes along the way. But through it we have grown closer and God has melded our hearts. My calling as a Mother means so much to me and I thank God for every day He gives me with each of you.

I never dreamed that my heart could be stretched to love so many of you. But I do love each of you fondly. And you have loved me in return, thank you for that. There haven't been many days in the last 18+ years that I have not got a hug from one or more of you. That's a lot of hugs, a lot of lovin' And I cherish each one.

The laughter, the sorrows, the joy, the pain, the love, the grace, the foolishness, the forgiveness. We've been (and are going through) it all. With 12 bodies in one home there are plenty of opportunities to give, to take, to serve, to be served, to give love, to be loved, to cry, to laugh...... And together we have, together we will, together......

My prayer for us is that through our experiences we will grow closer to God, learn to support each other, love each other unconditionally, serve each other, and in so doing be a light to those around us. God has called us all as a family to shine for Him. What a privilege we have, as parents and as children, to be a beacon in the darkness, to give hope to the hopeless, and to persevere through it all, because Jesus is our light, our hope, and our strong tower. With Him we can be who He has called us to be. Never loose heart, always put it in God's hand. He will direct you, He will guide you....

So it's not about me, it's about us. Because without your dad and you, I would not be a Mother. It's about us, family, together.....And most of all.....It's about HIM!

Mikaya's New Fashion Statement

And next we have Mikaya Pauls. 10th of 10 children and as you can see

very 'fun loving' especially in her style of dress.

The lovely bug hat she is sporting on her head was pulled out of the summer hat box just this morning. It will be a wonderful way to keep that warm sunshine off her bald little head (when we get sunshine that is:) Just don't get too close to a fly swatter Mikaya!

The lovely firey red glasses are a hot item around here and she loves to wear them rain or shine.

The pastel pink hoodie was a bargain find at a garage sale yesterday. Perfect for those cool summer evenings.

Don't you think pink is her color?

The fun striped 'jail bird' dress and bloomers were also pulled out of the summer box.

With it's unique stripes and sporty short sleaves it is a perfect summer outfit.

Mikaya looks forward to wearing this to her next summer outing.

Then there are those nice white socks. Oh if those socks would just stay nice and white.

Long enough to pull them up to her belly button,

yet flexible enough to roll them down as bobby socks.

Mikaya thinks that she will find many uses for these 'oh so white' socks.

And then to top it all, the nice brown robeez booties. Also a garage sale bargain.

This will be a nice compliment to many of Mikaya's summer outfits.

And if her feet get to hot, she can just take those booties off.

How handy is that?

So here you have it folks. The new fashion trend of summer 2008.

Don't be caught wearing anything else!

Special thanks to Mikaya for doing such a wonderful job

modeling these items for us.

It Cracked Me Up

Here was a converstion between Zachary & Brooke today.

Zachary: Brooke you have a crack in your pants. (Meaning a butt crack) Brooke: No, I didn't crack my pants!